Lawmaker proposes e-cigarette legislation

SAN MATEO, Calif. (AP) — A San Francisco lawmaker is proposing legislation that would regulate electronic cigarettes in the same way that tobacco products are currently regulated.

Rep. Jackie Speier announced the proposed law — called the Stop Selling and Marketing to Our Kids E-Cigarettes Act, or SMOKE — on Friday morning in front of the San Francisco General Hospital emergency room.

Dr. Neal Benowitz, associate medical director of the San Francisco Division of the California Poison Control System, who joined Speier, talked about the increase in poisonings and burnings by e-cigarettes.

Speier says the e-cigarette industry is targeting children and teenagers by offering products flavored like gummy bears, cotton candy and chocolate cake.

Parts of the legislation would prohibit the use of flavorings in the products and require the Food and Drug Administration to establish childproof packaging standards and dosage limits.